Archive for the ‘Home Improvement’ Category

We always want us and our families to be secured all the time. Yes, there are policemen to guard us and to maintain peace in our place but we can never tell when an accident is about to come and would risk our family’s security. With that, we should be more careful and do things that would make us safer inside our house.
Here are some tips that you can consider doing to make you and your family feel safer.

1. Change the locks – make sure to replace your locks when you are about to transfer to a new house.

2. Install a security system – homes are best protected by alarm systems. This are great ways to scar those people who plan to do bad things to your household. Also, it will immediately inform the authority about a potential danger. Keep your security wirings hidden so that bad people won’t have the opportunity to cut it.
3. Always make your house look occupied – usually, homes that seems to be unoccupied invites thieves or other bad people to enter it. Light the entrance of your house always to keep thieves away. Also, if you are about to leave the house, see to it also that you will not leave your keys in your mailbox or under your doormat.
4. For doors, use deadbolt locks, make interior hinges and use metal bars on sliding doors – even if this one will cost you higher than other locks, this will surely make you safer inside your house because it is stronger and more protected. Also, make sure that your hinges are not place outside for it will just be easy for thieves to pull it off. For those using sliding doors or sliding windows, make sure that you put metal bar along the bottom track of the door or window. The metal bar will make it hard forcing the door or window to open.
5. Protect your windows – when your doors are so much protected, the way of thieves to enter your house are your windows that’s why you also have to protect it by installing window locks or use high quality windows that would prevent them from entering in it.

For houses with limited space, they find it hard to decide putting up a staircase for it will sure eat a lot of space in the house. But another problem will arise, how will they reach the upper level of the house? Now, putting a staircase in your house is not a problem anymore. Here are some ways where you can minimize the space covered by staircase.

Summer is a great time of the year, but, it is also less convenient for people because of too much hotness that it brings. People look for ways to make them feel better- they go to the beach, malls or they install air conditioner in their houses. But if you don’t have the money and have no choice but to stay at home, here are some tips about how you can design your homes that could lessen the hotness of summer.
Keep your curtains closed.
Aside from it can save up to 7 percent of your electric bill, it can also lower the temperature up to 20 degrees.
Innovate the use of your electric fans

Aside from just letting your electric fans work, you can also improve the coolness of the air that it brings by filling a bowl with ice and positioning it in front of the electric fan. It will surely make you feel better. Must try!
Change your sheets to cotton

Unlike other textiles that is good for insulation, cotton is a smarter move this summer for it stays cooler.
Turn on your kitchen fans
Exhaust fans pull the hot air that rises after you cook.
Let the night air in

During summer months, the temperature lowers during nighttime. During this time, make sure that your windows and doors are open to give way for the cooler air. Just make sure that you’ll close the curtains in the morning before the hot air enters.
Replace your incandescent bulbs
Incandescent bulbs waste 90 percent of their energy in emitting heat. Replacing them will make a difference in your home’s temperature and in your electric bill. CFLs are better to use and it save energy as well.
Consider grilling

Barbecue grill

Using your ovens or stoves will make your house hotter. During summers and there is so much hotness in your house, the last thing you should do is make use of your oven and stove.
Improve your houses, plant trees
For improvements, you can insulate your window films and plant trees in front of your house. Less heat will reach your house if there are plants that will block ad absorb it.
Those are simple ways to make you feel cooler despite of the sun’s extreme heat outside. Try doing some of these now and have a great summer.

Check out these slide shows of our favorite gardens around the world, from rooftop gardens to expansive estates. Whether you are starting your garden from scratch or just looking to bring new life to a portion of your property, these pictures will provide plenty of ideas and inspiration. You’ll find galleries full of flower gardens, edible landscapes, container designs, and incredible regional gardens.

Make your bedroom your comfort zone with these beautiful bedroom ideas from different designers.

SILVERY GRAY

Designer Nina Farmer layered shades of gray with autumnal colors in a New England home’s master bedroom. The walls are now sheathed in Phillip Jeffries’s soothing silk-and-abaca wallpaper. The custom Roman shades are in a Holland & Sherry print. A Circa Lighting ceiling fixture casts a warm glow reminiscent of the golden leaves on the river birch trees that line the property.

Update the classic blue-and-white combo with a tangy orange. Dramatic pendant lights also free up storage space on the bedside tables.

Stacy Bass

COLORFUL PLAID

Both parents and kids can agree on this refined space. In a sophisticated Manhattan apartment, a rainbow-hued Italian Sputnik-style chandelier hangs in a boy’s bedroom and a trellis-print Phillip Jeffries grass cloth covers the walls.

CHRISTOPHER STURMAN

Contemporary Bedroom With Leather Bed

As seen on DIY Network’s original series “Rev Run’s Renovation,” this bedroom is decked out in earth tones thanks to rich gold paint colors and two-toned carpet. Tufting softens the look of a contemporary leather bed, while large artwork adds drama to the wall.

Traditional Pink & Blue Girl’s Bedroom

This lovely girls bedroom is a soothing space perfect for any little girl. Blue and pink pillows and bed linens compliment the light blue wall and blue and white patterned floor. A pink floral glass chandelier highlights the pink ceiling, providing a lovely contrast to the rest of the space. Oversized windows with simple lace curtains allow plenty of natural light. A yellow nightstand brings in a pop of color and serves as an excellent space for a unique sculptured figurine bed lamp.

From: J&J Design Group

Multicolored Transitional Girl’s Room With Horses

Any girl who loves horses will be over the moon for this delightful bedroom where horses gallop across the walls and a cheerful mix of pink, blue, green and yellow fill the space with personality.

Simon Brown

BEDROOM WITH DE GOURNAY WALLPAPER

In the main bedroom in Hannah Cecil Gurney’s London flat has hand-painted silk cushions and a Burmese lamp pick up on the green in the ‘Badminton’ wallpaper by de Gournay, the wallpaper company her father founded in 1986.

PALE GREEN PANELLED BEDROOM

The design of the bedrooms at Soho House’s High Road House in Chiswick is thoughtful rather than overt. The simple panelled rooms have no wardrobes, just Shaker-style pegs.

BAMBOOZLED

On the Caribbean island of Mustique, interior designer Veere Grenney has redesigned a bamboo house that is a study in neutrals and natural materials. The main bedroom, in a pavilion, has a bed from Soane. Green fabrics complete the room’s natural design while adding another colour to the simple scheme.

Re-facing your cabinets may be the best solution if you want to update them, but you want to save time and money.

Remove all of the cabinet doors and drawer fronts.
Prepare the surface of the cabinets. Sand down, remove the grease of the faces and sides of the cabinets, wipe to with cloth to remove dirt, and fill the holes with wood filler.
Cover the stiles with wood veneer. Measure the cabinet surface, then, cut out pieces of veneer to cover the stiles (use a straightedge and a utility knife). Cut the veneer into strips that are half an inch larger than each rail and stile. .
Apply a coat of contact cement to the back of each piece of veneer and to the cabinet surface. Let them dry for about 20 minutes before you put them in place.
Slowly bring each piece of veneer into the stile and press it down firmly with wood block. This will strengthen the bond and remove air bubbles. Make sure you get the right position.
Use a utility knife to trim excess veneer along the cabinet edge. Trim the outer edges, bottom and the top.
Smooth the edges of the veneer using a mill file; moving in one direction from veneer toward the cut.
Stain and coat the veneer with a sealant to make a complete facelift.
Install new doors using a drill. Align the door in the cabinet and screw temporarily, adjust until it is positioned correctly then screw tightly.

Ceramic tile floors are the most chosen floorings among homeowners. Aside from being durable, they’re also easy to install, waterproof, and don’t demand much maintenance. However, just like other floorings, they still need proper cleaning and care to look like as good as new and last for many years.

Clean the floors daily. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove loose dust and dirt on your floor. After that, mop the floor with warm water and mild detergent, or cornstarch, or baking soda. That will help your tiles stay shiny. Or you can also mix water and vinegar. That will work as a natural grease remover; use only small amount because of its acidity that can destroy natural stone tiles. To avoid a cloudy floor, change the bucket of cleaning solution once the mop gets dirty. Let the floor dry right after mopping to avoid new dirt set in by using clean-absorbent cloth.

Put some extra attention on the tile grout. Grouts easily absorb any dirt and grease. Before using the commercial cleaners, try to use a homemade cleaner. Maybe, some mix of baking soda and water. Put the paste directly on the grout then, let it sit for a couple of hours. Scrub with toothbrush or other small scrub brush. Avoid using metal brush, it will scratch the tiles. Wash with warm water.

If natural cleaner doesn’t work, try a bleach solution. Always wear rubber gloves when using it to protect your hands. Follow product instructions as indicated. If your grouts are colored, don’t use bleach; it may affect the color. Also, take care not to get the bleach solution on the tiles. Use toothbrush or small scrub brush to clean the grout, then, wash the floor with warm water. Let the floor dry completely and apply grout sealer to prevent it from absorbing dirt quickly.

Kitchen is one of the busy-area in your home. So, it is important that we consider the right materials to be used and its durability before we come to mistake and spend high-cost for the repair or remodeling.

Here are some materials to avoid for your kitchen:

Plastic Laminate Counters

This should never be used in your kitchen countertops. This is easy to melt with just one misplacing of hot object or utensil. They also scratch easily and delaminate.

Laminated Cabinet Fronts

Avoid cheaper vinyl cabinet fronts. This material is not heat resistant, when there’s a lot of heat from the oven, it could warp or split into layers.

Glossy Lacquered Cabinets

A glossy look can be eye-catching, but it is not preferable for frequently used kitchen. It is susceptible to scratches. Also, high-gloss can be pricey.

Low quality Vinyl Flooring

If you have low quality vinyl floorings, and you spend all day stepping on it, it will become thinner and will be delaminated sooner.

Carpets

Never use carpet in your kitchen. Any kind of carpets get stained easily and collect dirt and foods you dropped.

Flat Paint

Don’t use flat paint if you want a durable paint for your kitchen. In just one splatter of sauce, you can ruin the paint. High-gloss paint is a good choice in this area; it can stand up to several scrubbings.

Trendy Materials

Avoid super trendy colors and materials when it comes to backsplashes, countertops, or even floors. Trends change and so with your taste. Also, trendy materials are usually expensive. Choose the classic tiles for the backsplash that matches to the countertop, and remember that you must prefer materials that will last longer.

Your roof won’t last forever, but there are ways to make it last longer. Here are some tips to do:

Make a regular inspection to monitor the condition of your roof. If you can do it on your own, hire roofing experts.

Keep your gutters clean. Clogged gutters cancause ruined paint, flooded basement and it can destroy your roof structure. Clean out leaves and twigs from the gutters. If you will not remove those leaves immediately, they will gradually decompose and will cause weeds and molds that will slowly rot your gutters.

Remove moss and other debris because it traps water and might destroy the roof.

Trimming the branches of nearby trees to your home will keep the leaves off from your roof, and this also, will keep your roof damage free. The branches and leaves that touch the roof can cause damage, especially during high winds.

Prevent Ice Dams. It is important to remove all the ice and snow because it can damage the roof. Use a roof rake to remove them, but don’t force the ice that’s already formed in the roof; this could damage the roof.